MOVERS & SHAKERS
MOVERS& SHAKERS The Port San Luis Harbor District Board of Commissioners appointed Suzanne Watkins as their new Harbor Director. Ms. Suzanne Watkins Watkins’ background includes nineteen years of work experience with the County of Ventura including the last sixteen years as the Deputy Director of the Harbor Department, Channel Islands Harbor. Ms. Watkins has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at Riverside and a Master of Business Administration from California Lutheran University. She has worked on private/public harbor capital improvement projects and managed the lease sites within Channel Islands Harbor. She led a team in Channel Island Harbor in the financial and administrative operations of the Harbor Department. Watkins began her new position as Harbor Director in February. New Cameron Park Community Services General Manager André Pichly has worked in the parks and recreation field Andre Pichly for nearly 32 years. His illustrious career includes 20 years as West Sacramento’s recreation superintendent before he headed to Tracy, where he served as the Parks and Community Services director. But it was Sacramento that Pichly called home even as his other employment stints took him farther away, including Auburn and St. Helena. Pichly said he is excited to help develop his new staff’s roles within the 14
community and enjoys keeping the enthusiasm up. “I am impressed with the passion they have in their jobs,” he said. “We can play a positive role in helping people feel a sense of normalcy and keep them safe. I like having a positive impact on the people we serve by bringing quality services to the residents.” The Pichlys have deep roots within the California State University, Sacramento community, Andre having met his wife while attending college there and where Pichly currently teaches in the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department. His three children — Andy, Alexa and Alyse — also attended Sac State, two of them having followed in their father’s footsteps and work in the same field. The Oxnard Harbor District/Port of Hueneme Board of Harbor Commissioners named its officers for 2022. Commissioner Mary Anne Mary Anne Rooney Rooney was unanimously voted to serve as president. “It is truly an honor to serve as Harbor Commissioner President for a third time,” said Commissioner Rooney. “Along with my fellow Commissioners, we will keep our resolve and steadfast commitment to environmental progress, innovation, and our community. We will continue to support our customers and serve as an economic force in the county by creating thousands of jobs and providing over $100 million dollars in tax revenues for our local communities.” Commissioner Rooney was the first woman elected to the Board of Harbor
Commissioners in November 2010 and served her first term as President of the Board in 2014. She is an active member of the community serving on the Boards of Nyeland Promise and the Local Agency Formation Commission; past President of the Association of Pacific Ports; Economic Development Committee Member for the American Association of Port Authorities; and a Delegate on a Leadership Mission to Taiwan in 2013, past Vice President of the Ventura County Special District Association.
Photo Caption: (L-R): Ventura County Special Districts Association General Manager of the Year Brian Pendleton accepts the award from Awards Committee Chairs Elaine Magner, CSDA Board Vice President / Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Vice Chair, and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Director Elaine Freeman.
Director Mark Malloy of Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District was named the Ventura County Special District Association’s Director of the Year for 2021.
California Special Districts • March-April 2022
